" ....caffeine is routinely used to induce panic attacks in clinical experiments. When given caffeine doses of
the equivalent of that in 4 - 5 cups of coffee, nearly half of panic disorder patients, experienced a reaction that
was indistinguishable from a spontaneous panic attack."

Caffeine is a potent chemical with psychoactive effects that our body has absolutely no requirement for. Research has indicated
that caffeine can interfere with our brain chemistry and therefore can be a factor in contributing to exacerbating stress,
anxiety, panic, depression and insomnia. Caffeine stimulates the release of excess stress hormones via its stimulant effects
on the adrenal glands. it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin which lowers blood sugar so the body has to compensate
by releasing stress hormones which cause the body to release energy, fat and glucose reserves to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Some people are more sensitive to caffeine's effects than others so their tolerance for caffeine can be far less
than other people. Even small amounts of caffeine found in decaffeinated versions of tea and coffee can cause them problems.
Research has shown people prone to stress and anxiety tend to be especially sensitive to the effects of caffeine, removing
caffeine from the diet can be a great help in relieving stress, anxiety, depression and related problems.

Caffeine
can exacerbate or even cause stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia because it interferes with a tranquilizing neurotransmitter
chemical in the brain called adenosine. This is the chemical which turns down our anxiety levels - it's our body's version
of a tranquiliser. Caffeine docks into a receptor for adenosine and regular use of caffeine is enough to produce anxiety
and depression in susceptible individuals.

Research has indicated that caffeine increases the secretion of stress
hormones like adrenaline, so if you are already secreting higher stress hormones, caffeine will boost it even higher and exacerbate
stress/anxiety, depression even further than it already is. By eventually cutting caffeine you will lower your stress hormone
levels and therefore reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

CAFFEINE AND DEPRESSION

Clinical Psychologists
in the USA have carried out research which indicates that caffeine can be a factor in causing or exacerbating depression and
that on removal of caffeine from the diet, depression lifts, and on re-introducing it to the diet again, depression worsens.
Caffeine can have an anti-depressant action in small amounts but can have a depressive effect in larger amounts. Caffeine
users report significantly higher depression scores when compared to non-users. The higher the total caffeine intake, the
more likely the subjects were to suffer from depression. The researchers were unable to identify a clear cut dosage level
which produced symptoms.

Vitamin B6 is one vitamin involved in the manufacture of serotonin (this chemical is low
in people with anxiety and depression). Caffeine depletes the body of vitamin B6, this may be another route where caffeine
is involved in depression.

CAFFEINE AND ANXIETY DISORDERS

Dr James Lee, a psychiatrist at Duke University,
North Carolina in the USA, said of caffeine and anxiety, "Moderate caffeine consumption makes a person react like he/she
is having a very stressful day. If you combine the effects of real stress with the artificial boost in stress hormones that
comes from caffeine then you have compounded the effects considerably." During his study the volunteers produced 32%
more adrenaline, their blood pressure was raised and their heart rates were faster.

By avoiding caffeine you may
reduce panic, palpitations etc, and be able to reduce medication or remove it altogether in some people, with you GP's help.

CAFFEINE AND NUTRIENT DEPLETION

Caffeine has a diuretic action and causes nutrient depletion of several
important nutrients vital for optimum psychological health, like vitamin B6. The tannin interferes with nutrient absorption
of essential minerals including calcium, iron and magnesium and B group vitamins.

Sudden withdrawl from caffeine can cause uncomfortable side effects
like headaches. So it is wise to gradually reduce our caffeine intake over a number of weeks. You can substitute caffeinated
beverages for non-caffeinated versions found in local health food shops.